Tuesday, November 13, 2012

"We are open!" exclaimed an art dealer just two weeks after hurricane Sandy. "Despite all the sad stories, many galleries in Chelsea are open for business. And if you have been eyeing a piece of art, even if the price is only $100, now is the time to make that purchase!"

Such a turn-around hardly seemed possible on November 1st, three days after the storm. I had walked twenty blocks down to the power-less and waterlogged gallery district. It was shocking to see high water marks four and five feet up the sides of gallery walls a block or more from the Hudson river. Teams of people were already at work on the cleanup, the scene dominated by disaster mediation workers in hazmat suits, by the sound of gas generators and pumps. On every street between 27th and 18th mountains of packaging, ruined crates and trash bags lined the sidewalks and filled dumpsters. Salvaged art was being packed into trucks and sent to restorers. The galleries were dank and darkened shells, unrecognizable from their usual character as brightly lit and rarefied temples of culture.

Four foot highwater line outside Sonnabend Gallery on 22nd Street.

Servpro at work on 26th Street, November 1st.

Outside Jack Shainman Gallery on West 20th Street, where the basement level flooded

Remedial work advancing in a 22nd Street gallery, November 1st.

Only a few days later, I received an e-mail saying that numerous galleries were opening exhibitions on Thursday the 8th of November. Power had been restored to most of the city below 34th Street and a come-back in Chelsea was already under way! I went but it was a rather somber evening. The usual crowds of opening-goers were absent. Several major gallery buildings were still without power from damage to services at basement level. Most street level spaces were still closed and restoration work was visibly underway into the night.

However, upstairs spaces, of which there are many, were abuzz and some street level galleries, by fluke of raised door steps or the absence of basements had escaped unscathed and were open to the public.

It was especially heartening to see Printed Matter, purveyor of "15,000 artists books", open again after having so much of their material and archives damaged when the basement flooded as far from the river as 10th Avenue. Overall, the bright lights and hardy art viewers were a comfort and predicator that the Chelsea art scene is resilient and will soon be back up to speed.

Printed Matter on 10th Avenue at 22nd Street open for business on November 8th

Salvage work outside Printed Matter on November 1st.

Much further from view are the many stricken art neighborhoods around the city, especially in low-lying parts of Hoboken, Jersey City, Red Hook, Greenpoint and Gowanus where artists' studios and storage spaces as well as small alternative galleries were flooded. Some artists lost decades of work and were less likely than art galleries to have adequate insurance, if any. Numerous arts organizations and foundations have stepped up to the plate and are offering emergency support and services. Below is a list compiled by the Lower Manhattan Cultural council.

Cleanup outside Bortolami Gallery on West 20th Street, November 1st.

Emergency Resources for ArtistsComplied by the Lower Manhattan Cultural CouncilArtists, please note: if any of your work or live/work space has beendamaged, take pictures and keep receipts of whatever you spend during thistime.

*Joan Mitchell Foundation:* sent out this message after the Hurricane:"If you are - or know of - a visual artist who has been affected by thehurricane please contact us. The Foundation has funding allocatedspecifically for emergency assistance to painters and sculptors affected bynatural disasters... We know that communication for many is very limitednow, but our staff can be reached by email at:info@joanmitchellfoundation.org

*Other:**Christie's*: Christie's is arranging space for Downtown artists to usetheir laptops and charge their phones, and may be able to assist gallerieswith storage space for their art. Those interested, please call (212)468-7177.

*New York City Economic Development Corporation*: For any businesstemporarily displaced, NYCEDC may have short-term "swing" office or storagespace: information at www.nyc.gov/nycbusiness*New York City Arts Coalition offers helpful information about FEMA*:Federal disaster resources will be dependent on your (or your artsgroup/business) being registered at FEMA. Go towww.disasterassistance.gov